energy standards for buildings jacked up in SA

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) will soon be releasing SANS 204 to set new standards for energy efficiency in buildings. If implemented following the public comment period, this should raise the bar for reduced energy consumption from air conditioning and heating. It's not clear how this would be implemented, given the shortage of energy auditors, but SANS 204 and the forthcoming release of the Green Star building rating system by the Green Building Council of South Africa should create greater impetus for the establishment of an industry of consultants and contractors who understand energy efficiency.